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Archive for May, 2009

Concerns About Sex During Pregnancy

May 19th, 2009

Concerns About Sex During Pregnancy

by: Susan Tanner
Sex is among the top most enjoyable activities practiced by couples. Why should this be any different during the nine months of pregnancy?

Many expecting parents have concerns about having sex during pregnancy. Anyone considering it will undoubtedly have many questions. Hopefully these answers can help to put you and your partner at ease.

Is it safe for the baby? In a normal, low-risk pregnancy, sex during pregnancy will not harm the baby. The fetus is protected by the amniotic sac (a thin-walled bag that holds the fetus and surrounding fluid) and by the strong muscles around the uterus. There is also a thick mucus plug that seals the cervix and helps guard against infection.

When is it not safe? It is unsafe in high-risk pregnancies. Some cases where you should not have sex during pregnancy are:

* If you have a history or threat of miscarriage
* If you have a history or signs indicating the risk of pre-term labor
* More than one fetus (twins, triplets, etc.)
* Unexplained vaginal bleeding, discharge, or cramping
* Placenta previa (a condition where the placenta is situated so low that it covers the cervix)
* Leakage of amniotic fluid
* ncompetent cervix (a condition in which the cervix is weakened and dilates prematurely raising the risk of miscarriage or premature delivery)

If any of these cases apply to you, or if you are at all unsure, consult your physician before engaging in sex during pregnancy.

Can the baby feel it? Some parents may have concerns about disturbing the unborn baby by having sex during pregnancy. Rest assured, the cervix is protected by a thick mucus plug; the penis will not come into contact with the fetus. The baby may thrash around a bit after orgasm, but this is simply because of the mother’s pounding heart, and not because the baby is feeling discomfort or even knows what’s happening.

Can sex during pregnancy or orgasm cause miscarriage or premature birth? It should not lead to miscarriage or premature birth in normal low-risk pregnancies. The contractions felt during orgasm are completely different from the contractions associated with labor. Some doctors recommend, though, that all mothers discontinue sex during the final weeks of pregnancy. There is a chemical in semen that is believed to stimulate contractions.

Is it normal for my desire for sex during pregnancy to fluctuate? It is perfectly normal for sex drive to increase and decrease during pregnancy. Symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, and the increased need to urinate can make sex during pregnancy bothersome, especially during the first trimester. Some of these symptoms subside during the second trimester, which may result in a heightened sex drive. Increased blood flow to the pelvic area can cause engorgement of the genitals and heighten sensation. This same engorgement, though, can leave some mothers with an uncomfortable feeling of fullness after sex. The amount of vaginal discharge or moistness may increase, which can either make sex during pregnancy more pleasurable, or cause irritation. In the case of a sudden change in the amount of discharge, or a foul or unusual odor, consult your physician.

Many couples find that intercourse is more fulfilling with the added freedom from worries about contraception and a unique new feeling of closeness.

Which positions are most favorable? You will discover that as the mother’s belly swells, finding comfortable positions for sex during pregnancy will require more interesting maneuvers. Mom may find that lying on her back will become less and less comfortable as the pregnancy progresses, and the weight of the baby can restrict circulation.

* Lie sideways. Having the man on top will become more and more difficult as the baby grows.
* Use the edge of the bed. The mother can lay on her back with her feet and rear on the edge of the bed, and the man kneeling or standing in front.
* Lie side-by-side in the spoon position. This will allow for only shallow penetration. Deep thrust can become uncomfortable as the months pass.
* Have the woman on top. This allows her to control the depth of penetration and will put no added weight on her abdo

men. Oral sex during pregnancy can be an excellent alternative in situations where intercourse is not recommended. It is safe, as long as you are in a monogamous relationship, where both partners have been tested and are HIV-negative.

The most important thing is that you communicate with your partner. Experiment with different methods, enjoy yourselves and try to keep a sense of humor.

Sex during pregnancy can still be one of your favorite activities.

About the author:
Susan Tanner is a wife and mother of three. She is also the editor of pregnancy-guide.net. Pregnancy-Guide is an online community for mothers to find support and valuable information. Please visit Pregnancy-Guide at http://www.pregnancy-guide.net

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Pregnancy Health

May 8th, 2009

Pregnancy Health – Have a Safe Pregnancy

Executive Summary By Daniel Boon

pregnancy health

Pregnancy health comprises of having good dietary habits before and during pregnancy. Good diet and proper lifestyle during pregnancy can help you cope with early pregnancy symptoms as well as other symptoms of pregnancy.

Maintaining good pregnancy health is extremely important for an expectant mother to ensure her own and her little one’s safety during pregnancy. There are some lifestyle / dietary habits which can cause trouble even in conceiving a baby. So, pregnancy health begins at the very beginning i.e. when the thought of planning a baby strikes you first. When You Plan To Have A Baby

For good pregnancy health, both you and your partner must completely avoid drinks high on caffeine like coffee, tea, and cold drinks.

During Pregnancy

First of all you must be careful with what you eat and drink to maintain good pregnancy health. You must eat food that is rich in fiber like fresh vegetables, fruit, cereals etc. You need more calcium during pregnancy, so include food items that contain calcium in your diet. A rich and balanced diet would help you cope with early pregnancy symptoms like constipation, heartburn, hemorrhoids etc.

For body pains and aches, try applying heat-pads. Avoid tight and synthetic clothing. Wear padded bras to tackle another symptom of pregnancy – tender or swollen breasts. Also avoid use of soaps.

Pregnancy Health – Maintaining Yourself
Summary By Apurva Shree

Pregnancy brings in joy with the ever-increasing waistline, pains and aches. The body undergoes a tremendous change due to shifting of hormones. The skin changes, there are stretch marks and dark patches on the facial skin. Weight gain results in sleeping troubles, poor digestion, frequent urination, constipation etc.

Maintaining Pregnancy Health

Stay happy and comfortable. Consult your doctor for any problems and adjust your lifestyle to surmount the initial irritating body changes with more rest and relaxation. Follow a few tips for better pregnancy health.

To overcome this problem, maintain pregnancy health with frequent but small meals. Leg cramps: As the body weight increases and change in metabolization takes place, the pressure on legs and feet increases. Eat low-fat calcium rich food, go for short walks, stretch and flex leg and foot muscles, use heating pads to ease the leg cramps.

Swelling: A significant weight gain during pregnancy can result in swelling and puffiness. It could be a sign of high blood pressure or toxemia, consult the doctor immediately. To avoid swelling and to maintain a good pregnancy health, avoid salty foods and caffeine. Teeth and gum problems: Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth regularly; avoid eating sweets and take high calcium diet. Good pregnancy health results in a happier you and healthier baby.

Please check out other article about pregnancy signs or signs of pregnancy

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Fertility Monitor

May 8th, 2009

Fertility Monitors Help Ease the Burden

fertility-monitorExecutive Summary By Lorraine Weston

Fertility monitors allow a couple to easily identify their most fertile time of the month. The main use of the fertility monitor is that it advises when conditions for fertilization are ideal. These monitors can not guarantee success, but many couples greatly improve their chance of falling pregnant when they understand their peak conception dates for each month.

Fertility monitors can be found online or at local drugstores. The simplest monitors can use a test stick placed in a collected urine sample. The more advanced fertility monitors are easy to use and can provide a more accurate result. Monitors usually allow a testing window of six hours.

The monitors will subsequently alert you when it is time to perform the test.

* Many monitors require that a test stick be held in a stream of urine for about three seconds and the stick then placed in the monitor receptacle.

* The monitor then automatically performs the test. * Remove and read the test stick. You’ll learn if fertility is peak, high or low. This feature saves you time and money on test sticks.

Some of the more advanced fertility monitors may, at first, appear to be a little on the expensive side. Medical intervention can cost thousands and thousands of dollars without any guarantee of success.

Also, when choosing your monitor is aware that most test kits come with only 30 strips for monitoring fertility. Reviews and recommendations on fertility monitors are available from many sources including your doctor, in consumer publications and online. If after a year of careful monitoring you have not conceived, fertility tests can advise of healthy sperm and ova. Fertility monitors and other treatments greatly improve your chances while timing your intercourse based on your peak fertility periods.

Get Pregnant Fast With Clear Blue Fertility Monitor
Summary By Jane N.

This fertility monitor has the capacity to detect the days in a cycle when a woman has maximum chances of conceiving. Luteinizing Hormone and Estrogen which are the primary female hormones, gets detected on the fertility monitor when there is a surge in the levels of these hormones in the urine. By directly urinating at the test stick which consists in the test kit, and pressing the button on the fertility monitor will highlight the level of fertility which can be high low, or peak. Couples are suggested to have intercourse during the days when the monitor affirms the high and peak level of fertility, which inordinately increases the scope of getting pregnant.

Throughout the cycle, the monitor can assess an average of six days where the level of fertility is prominent within women. Before reaching the period of peak fertility level (which consists of two days), one can observe high levels of fertility for about one to five days. These monitors provide women an excellent opportunity to study their fertility pattern, so that they use it for their future reference.

The clear blue fertility monitor provides results which are ninety nine percent accurate, and this has been also proved in a laboratory test. The clear blue fertility monitor is considered to be one of the best tools to increase the chances of pregnancy.

Benefits Of Using The Clear Blue Fertility Monitor
Summary By Virginia Louise

Maximise your chance of conceiving

Clinical data shows that most successful conceptions occur in the six days leading up to ovulation, the Clear Blue Fertility Monitor enables you to easily identify this period.

Predict your irregular periods with accuracy

The Clear Blue Fertility Monitor measures the hormones in your urine and has been laboratory tested to be 99% accurate in predicting the LH surge the precursor to ovulation.

Remove human error from predicting peak fertility days

The Clear Blue Fertility Monitor learns about your monthly cycle. If you are frustrated at trying for a baby with no success the monitor can show you when to concentrate your efforts.

The whole process of using the Clear Blue Fertility Monitor is non invasive. No needle or other implements to place into your body, just a test stick and a slot on the monitor to assess results.

You may want to read other article about pregnancy symptoms or pregnancy belly.

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